SCI-Arc co-founder Michael Rotondi to receive Richard J. Neutra Medal at Cal Poly Pomona

Architect Michael Rotondi will receive the Richard J. Neutra Medal tonight from the College of Environmental Design at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The Richard J. Neutra Medal for Professional Excellence was established to recognize the contributions that Neutra made to the practice of architecture in research and design. The Medal awards individuals for their dedication to the research and development of new environments in everyday life.

Rotondi, who is currently principal of RoTo Architects in Los Angeles, distinguished himself in architectural education when he co-founded SCI-Arc in 1972 and then later succeeded Ray Kappe as the school's director. Rotondi also previously worked in Morphosis with Thom Mayne in 1975.

"Education paired with architecture is RoTo's way. Michael is a great recipient of prestigious Neutra award which is given to exceptional architects who take the profession to higher levels of artistry and creative thinking and building," says Orhan Ayyüce, senior editor at Bustler's sister site Archinect.

The award ceremony and lecture will take place at 6 p.m. in Cal Poly Pomona’s University Theater.

Check out a few of Rotondi's works and learn more about him below.

"Rotondi is principal at Los Angeles-based RoTo Architects and oversees all aspects of project design and delivery. A former Cal Poly Pomona student (who then transferred and graduated from a newly formed Sci-Arc), Rotondi has practiced architecture for more than 30 years.

"His projects have a broad range including the Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood, Silverlake Conservatory of Music, Liberty Wildlife center in Phoenix and the Prairie View A&M University School of Architecture."

"Rotondi has also made a tremendous impact as an architecture educator including at Southern California Institute of Architecture and at Arizona State University. He was the founder of the graduate program and the first director of graduate studies at SCI-Arc from 1980 to 1987 and then was the school’s director from 1987 to 1997."

Previous recipients have included architectural practitioners like Raphael Soriano, Renzo Piano, Thom Mayne, Ray Kappe and Tadao Ando; landscape architecture practitioners, including Lawrence Halprin, Garrett Eckbo, Roberto Burle-Marx and Francis Dean; as well as individuals who have made enduring contributions to environmental design and public policy such as former Vice President Al Gore.

All photos courtesy RoTo Architects.